The Superior Express -

The Lawrence-Nelson Raiders open their 2022 football campaign Friday night against Superior at Lawrence.

Brian Blevins, head coach, is putting the emphasis on fundamentals this season. The past two seasons have not met the expectations of Blevins and his coaching staff.

The team has the players in the weight room and working on fundamentals in practice.

The team has a wealth of experienced starters returning this season.

Krayton Kucera will lead the offense at quarterback. The goal is to develop players around him to take advantage of his upside.

Tony Kotinek is a big, speedy backfield player who is developing as a runner. Bayln Bargen is the mighty mite runner, small and speedy.

Erik Wheeland provides Kucera with a big target. Wheeland led the team in receiving yards last season.

The offensive is big, strong and attitudinal. Keaton Mazour, Roy Davidson and Rocky Miller provide the push.

One area that has been a concern is defense. Blevins is looking for improved tackling skills from his defensive players. He projects Conner Janda as a force on the defensive side of the ball.

The team is focused on winning. The pieces are there. It all depends on the execution.

The team faces a tough schedule. They face two D-1 schools, Superior and Arapahoe. They also have strong D-2 school adversaries in Falls City Sacred Heart and Kenesaw.

The seniors on the team are Kucera, Wheeland, Toby Kotinek, Mazour, Wyatt Hajny, Devyn Zikmund, Trev Mueller, Chad Holcomb and Evan Jacobitz.

The junior class representatives are Clay Williams, Bayln Bargen, Roy Davidson, AJ Koehler, Janda, Nolan Ostdiek, Miller and Nathan Elledge.

Riley Cannaday, Carter Griffis, Cody Brockman, Sawyer Cox, Aidan Zikmund, Wyatt Baker, Carson Vaughn and Will Schaffer are the sophomore class members. Nathan Potal, Caden Culbertson, Nathan Stokes, Cody Funk and Cole Thompson are freshman.

Student managers are Jace Hoelting, Will Dogherty and Jack Williams.

Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m. Superior will be looking for a win after dropping their opening game 52-20 to Alma.